The band announced Friday that the sponsorship had been dropped at the last minute.

“Today, reportedly due to reactionary concerns from other long-time participating sponsors, Slayer has been pulled as the primary sponsor,” Slayer said in a statement. “After nearly 40 years, Slayer apparently remains as terrifying to some as ever.”

Rick Ware Racing released a statement saying that its image and beliefs and those of its partners did not align with the veteran thrash metal band.

“As a team owner, we thought it would be best to forgo the partnership,” the statement said. “RWR wishes nothing but the best to Slayer and their fans and wishes the band a successful Final World Tour.”

PODS, the portable moving and storage company, replaced Slayer as the main sponsor for Saturday’s race.

Slayer was founded in Huntington Park, Calif., in 1981. They have released 12 studio albums and won two Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance. Their final tour runs through Nov. 30.

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